The New Plaza Cinema
The Queen’s Hall first opened its doors on December 29, 1910, accommodating 700 guests. In January 1930, it upgraded to a Western Electric sound system and was rebranded as the New Queen’s Cinema, debuting with the film “Showboat.” The venue was acquired by the J.F. Emery Circuit in 1931 but closed its doors for good on May 27, 1933, to make way for demolition.
A new establishment, the Plaza Cinema, was constructed on a nearby site and welcomed its first audience on November 11, 1933, featuring Clive Brook in “Cavalcade.” This cinema boasted seating for 1,400 across its stalls and circle levels, along with a café for the convenience of moviegoers. In 1954, the Plaza Cinema made history as the first in Crewe to introduce CinemaScope, launching with Richard Burton in “The Robe” on a 40-foot wide screen. On December 12, 1955, it was taken over by the Rank Organisation and renamed Gaumont. The Gaumont closed its doors on August 12, 1961, after screening James Stewart in “Two Rode Together” and “A Question of Suspense.”
The building was transformed into the Majestic Ballroom and later became a Top Rank Bingo Club starting August 8, 1965. By 1971, it was sold to the Hutchinson bingo group. Following the passing of Mr. A. Hutchinson, the venue was acquired by Apollo Leisure, which converted the former circle and foyer into a three-screen cinema, now known as the Apollo Cinema, while bingo continued in the original stalls. The projection box from the Plaza Cinema was repurposed for two 100-seat screens in the former circle, and a 93-seat cinema in the old café/circle foyer had its own projection box. The Apollo Cinema opened on May 24, 1990, with films including “Uncle Buck,” “King of the Wind,” and “Leviathan.” Unfortunately, it closed on December 1, 2005.
Plans emerged in late 2006 to transform the building into an entertainment center, leading to its operation as the M Club, a concert venue in the former stalls/bingo area. This venture ended in 2010, and the building was demolished in mid-2017. The land is now being utilized by the local council as part of a walking and cycling route connecting the town centre to the railway station.
